How to Install VirtualBox on MacOS

Edited 1 week ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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In this detailed guide, we will explore the step-by-step process of installing VirtualBox on MacOS. VirtualBox is a powerful tool that allows users to run multiple operating systems on a single machine. It is especially useful for developers, testers, and anyone who needs to experiment with different operating environments. Let’s dive into the details of getting VirtualBox up and running on your Mac.

Understanding VirtualBox

Before we begin the installation, it is important to understand what VirtualBox is and how it works. VirtualBox is an open-source hypervisor for x86 virtualization. It allows you to create and manage virtual machines (VMs) from a single console. This means you can run different operating systems like Windows, Linux or any other OS virtually on your Mac, while your host system continues to run MacOS.

System requirements

To install VirtualBox on your MacOS, make sure your system meets the following requirements:

• Operating system: MacOS 10.13 or later.
• Processor: Intel or AMD x86 processor.
• RAM: At least 4 GB of RAM, but 8 GB or more is recommended for better performance.
• Disk space: At least 10 GB of free disk space.

Downloading VirtualBox

To start the installation process, the first step is to download the VirtualBox software. You can do it like this:

1. Visit the VirtualBox website: Open your web browser and go to the official VirtualBox website.
2. Select version: On the home page, click the "Downloads" link to access the download page. Here, you will find different versions for different operating systems. Click the "VirtualBox 6.xx for OS X Host" link to download the latest version compatible with MacOS.
3. Save the installer. When you click the Mac OS X download link, an installer file named something like "VirtualBox-6.xx-xxxxxx-OSX.dmg" will begin downloading. Save this file to a location on your computer where you can easily access it, such as the "Downloads" folder.

Installing VirtualBox on macOS

After you download the VirtualBox installer, follow these steps to install it:

1. Open the installer. Find the downloaded ".dmg" file in your "Downloads" folder or wherever you saved it. Double-click the file to open it. This will mount the VirtualBox disk image, and an installer window will appear.
2. Start the installation: In the installer window, you will see a VirtualBox package file named "VirtualBox.pkg". Double-click this file to start the installation process.
3. Follow the installation wizard: The installation wizard will guide you through the installation steps. During this process, you may need to perform the following actions:
   • Authentication: You may be asked to enter your administrator password. Provide your credentials and click "Install Software" to continue.
   • Grant permissions: MacOS may display security warnings about system extensions. VirtualBox requires these extensions to run virtual machines. To proceed, go to "System Preferences" > "Security & Privacy" and click "Allow" to grant permission.
4. Complete the installation: After the wizard is finished, click "Close" to exit. If prompted, you can choose to move the installer to the trash, as it is no longer needed.

Launching VirtualBox

Once VirtualBox is installed, you can now start creating and managing virtual machines. Here's how to launch the application for the first time:

1. Open Finder: Click the Finder icon in your Dock to open a Finder window.
2. Access to applications: In the sidebar of the Finder window, click "Applications" to view a list of the applications installed on your Mac.
3. Launch VirtualBox: Scroll through the list and find "VirtualBox." Double-click on it to launch the application.

Upon launching VirtualBox, you'll be greeted by the VirtualBox Manager, which is the main interface for managing your virtual machines. From here, you can create new VMs, import existing VMs, and configure settings for your virtual environment.

Creating a new virtual machine

To make full use of VirtualBox, you need to create a new virtual machine (VM). Let's look at this process:

1. Start the New VM wizard: In the VirtualBox Manager, click the "New" button in the toolbar to open the New Virtual Machine wizard.
2. Configure VM details: The wizard will prompt you to enter basic details about your VM:
   • Name: Choose a descriptive name for your VM, such as “Ubuntu Test Environment.”
   • Machine Folder: Specify the location where the VM files will be stored. The default location is usually fine for most users.
   • Type: Select the operating system type you plan to install, for example, "Linux."
   • Version: Choose the specific OS version based on the ISO you have available, such as "Ubuntu (64-bit)."
3. Allocate memory: Next, you need to allocate memory to your VM. This is the amount of RAM that the VM will use while running. A good starting point is 2048 MB (2 GB), but you can adjust this based on your needs and available resources.
4. Create a virtual hard disk: You have the option to create a new virtual hard disk or use an existing hard disk. Let's say you are creating a new hard disk. Select the "Create a virtual hard disk now" option and click "Create."
   • Hard Disk File Type: Select the hard disk file type. The default option "VDI (VirtualBox Disk Image)" is recommended.
   • Storage on physical hard disks: Decide whether you want the disks to be dynamically allocated or fixed in size. Dynamic allocation is more flexible, as it uses disk space only as needed and grows over time.
   • File space and size: Specify the space and maximum size for your virtual hard disk. The default space should be fine, but make sure the size is sufficient for your OS and applications. For most Linux distributions, a 20 GB disk size is usually sufficient.

Installing the operating system

Once the virtual machine is configured, it's time to install the operating system. We'll use Ubuntu Linux as an example:

1. Download Ubuntu ISO: Go to the official Ubuntu website and download the ISO file of the version you want to install.
2. Attach the ISO to the VM: In the VirtualBox Manager, select your newly created VM and click the "Settings" button. Switch to the "Storage" tab. Under "Storage Devices," click the empty optical drive icon, and then click the small disk icon on the right. Select "Choose disk file" and find the Ubuntu ISO file you downloaded.
3. Start the VM: With the ISO attached, click the "Start" button in the toolbar to boot the VM. The VM will boot from the ISO file, taking you to the Ubuntu installation screen.
4. Follow the OS installation process: Follow the on-screen instructions to install Ubuntu. This process includes choosing your language, time zone, keyboard layout, partition settings, and creating user accounts. Continue the installation until you reach the end.
5. Remove the ISO after installation: Once installation is complete, return to your VM's "Storage" settings and remove the ISO file from the optical drive to ensure the VM boots from the virtual hard disk in future sessions.

Managing virtual machines

Once you have successfully installed the OS on your VM, you can manage various settings and configurations to optimize performance and usability.

Snapshots

A powerful feature of VirtualBox is its ability to take snapshots of your VM. A snapshot captures the entire state of the VM at a specific time. This is useful for creating restore points before making important changes or experiments.

1. Create a snapshot: To create a snapshot, select your VM in the VirtualBox Manager, click the "Snapshots" tab, and then click the "Take" button. You can give your snapshot a name and description for easy reference.
2. Restore from a snapshot: If you encounter a problem or want to revert to a previous state, you can restore a snapshot by right-clicking on it in the “Snapshots” tab and selecting “Restore.”

Shared folders

Sharing files between your host system (MacOS) and virtual machine is important for data exchange and collaboration. VirtualBox allows you to set up shared folders to facilitate this process.

1. Configure the shared folder: Go to the VM's settings and click "Shared Folders" in the sidebar. Click the plus (+) icon to add a new shared folder. Specify the folder path on your host machine and indicate whether you want it to be "Read Only" or "Auto Mount."
2. Access to shared folders: Once configured, you can access shared folders within your VM, typically located under a network drive or a designated location specified by your OS.

Virtual machine settings

You can change various settings of your VM for better performance, enhanced user experience, and resource management:

• System: Increase or decrease the allocated RAM or CPU cores according to your need.
• Display: Configure video memory, enable 3D acceleration, and adjust screen resolution settings.
• Network: Modify network settings to connect or isolate your VM from the host network.
• USB: Enable the USB controller and filter specific USB devices accessible by the VM.

Troubleshooting

While VirtualBox is generally easy to set up and use, you may encounter a few common problems. Here are some solutions:

The virtual machine failed to start

If your VM fails to start, it may be due to incorrect settings or corrupted files. Check these areas:

• RAM allocation: Make sure your VM is not set to use more RAM than is available on your host machine.
• Disk space: Verify that there is enough disk space on your host to accommodate the VM's virtual disk size.
• Logs: Check the VM's logs for specific error messages that might provide clues to the problem.

Extension pack installation

VirtualBox's features can be extended by installing an extension pack, which provides additional functionality such as USB 2.0/3.0 support and VirtualBox RDP. Here's how to install it:

1. Download the Extension Pack: From the VirtualBox download page, find the Extension Pack section and download the compatible version.
2. Install the extension pack: Open VirtualBox, go to "Preferences", and select "Extensions" from the menu. Click the small folder icon with a plus (+) sign and locate the extension pack file you downloaded. Follow the prompts to complete the installation.

Networking problems

If networking is not working correctly in your VM, make sure the network adapter settings match the configuration you want (e.g., NAT, bridged adapter, internal network, etc.). You may also need to install additional drivers in the VM OS to establish a network connection.

Conclusion

Installing VirtualBox on macOS allows you to create virtual environments for a variety of operating systems, greatly expanding your workflow and experimentation capabilities. This detailed guide covers the step-by-step process for downloading, installing, and configuring VirtualBox, creating and managing virtual machines, and troubleshooting common problems. By following these instructions, you should have a fully functional virtual environment on your Mac, ready for anything you throw at it.

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